Is the story of the Department of Justice (DOJ) scandal about to break open, based on activity in Alabama?
It looks like that could be happening. Adam Cohen, of The New York Times, reports today on the prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman and the upcoming appearance of Rainsville lawyer Dana Jill Simpson before Congressional investigators. Simpson is expected to be questioned about the details of an affidavit in which she claimed that she was part of a telephone conversation that indicated the Siegelman prosecution was politically motivated.
Cohen reports that Simpson's testimony is likely to go well beyond the conference call. She also is expected to tell investigators about a conversation with Rob Riley, son of Alabama governor Bob Riley, in which Riley told her Siegelman was about to be re-indicted in Montgomery (after a case against him in Birmingham fell apart). Cohen also notes that Bob Riley defeated Siegelman in a razor-close 2002 election under suspicious circumstances. Cohen notes the study of Auburn University professor James Gundlach, showing that the election likely involved manipulation of votes.
Scott Horton, of Harper's, provides additional perspective on the evolving story, noting that while the Alabama press continues to ignore the story, major national news outlets are working on it. Horton also posts on today's news that the DOJ is officially stonewalling the House request for documents in the Siegelman case.
Monday, September 10, 2007
GOP Sexcapades Continue
You don't often think of Republicans as a sexy bunch. But when the good ole boys of the Grand Old Party get behind closed doors (or bathroom stalls), they evidently can really let their hair down.
With the case of Larry "Wide Stance" Craig still in the air, let's take this opportunity to get right down in the gutter with the "family values" crowd.
First, we have a report that four GOP congressmen are on the verge of being outed. The Fabulous Four are Senators Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) and Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) and Representatives Patrick McHenry (North Carolina) and David Dreier (California). Hmmm, looks like three of the four are from red states in the South.
McHenry brings us to the gay-tinged double murder-suicide in Florida (the South again) that claimed the lives of Republican consultants Ralph Gonzalez and David Abrami. Police evidently have established that Jason Robert Drake shot Gonzalez and Abrami and then turned the gun on himself. A Web site called North Carolina Conservative reports that Drake had ties to the murder of a Pennsylvania entrepreneur who dealt in gay porn. The businessman evidently was killed at the behest of a Virginia-based rival in the gay porn industry.
Another Web site says Drake had ties to McHenry, the North Carolina conservative congressman.
It's hard to keep track of these players without a scorecard. But one can only wonder if, and how, the mainstream press will deal with this story.
With the case of Larry "Wide Stance" Craig still in the air, let's take this opportunity to get right down in the gutter with the "family values" crowd.
First, we have a report that four GOP congressmen are on the verge of being outed. The Fabulous Four are Senators Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) and Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) and Representatives Patrick McHenry (North Carolina) and David Dreier (California). Hmmm, looks like three of the four are from red states in the South.
McHenry brings us to the gay-tinged double murder-suicide in Florida (the South again) that claimed the lives of Republican consultants Ralph Gonzalez and David Abrami. Police evidently have established that Jason Robert Drake shot Gonzalez and Abrami and then turned the gun on himself. A Web site called North Carolina Conservative reports that Drake had ties to the murder of a Pennsylvania entrepreneur who dealt in gay porn. The businessman evidently was killed at the behest of a Virginia-based rival in the gay porn industry.
Another Web site says Drake had ties to McHenry, the North Carolina conservative congressman.
It's hard to keep track of these players without a scorecard. But one can only wonder if, and how, the mainstream press will deal with this story.
Cronyism and State Contracts
Has Republican cronyism drawn Alabama into a contract with another company that has a checkered past?
Bob Lowry, of the Huntsville Times, reported on Sunday that the Alabama Department of Corrections will get a $233.73 million contract with a St. Louis company that bid $6 million more than the losing bidder for inmate health-care services. Correctional Medical Services (CMS) won the contract, the Times reported, with the assistance of former Republican Lt. Gov. Steve Windom, a lobbyist with close times to Alabama Governor Bob Riley.
The Web site for the Prison Policy Initiative lists five major exposes of CMS and the services it provides to prisoners. The investigative articles include reports on patient neglect and the use of physicians with histories of misconduct, including drug abuse.
The CMS contract comes on the heels of a $3.8 million contract the Alabama Medicaid Agency signed with ACS Heritage Inc., which presented a bid that was $500,000 higher than the next company. In that case, ACS Heritage hired Toby Roth, former Riley chief of staff, just before the bid was awarded.
ACS received the contract even though it has a history of administrative, financial, and service problems.
Bob Lowry, of the Huntsville Times, reported on Sunday that the Alabama Department of Corrections will get a $233.73 million contract with a St. Louis company that bid $6 million more than the losing bidder for inmate health-care services. Correctional Medical Services (CMS) won the contract, the Times reported, with the assistance of former Republican Lt. Gov. Steve Windom, a lobbyist with close times to Alabama Governor Bob Riley.
The Web site for the Prison Policy Initiative lists five major exposes of CMS and the services it provides to prisoners. The investigative articles include reports on patient neglect and the use of physicians with histories of misconduct, including drug abuse.
The CMS contract comes on the heels of a $3.8 million contract the Alabama Medicaid Agency signed with ACS Heritage Inc., which presented a bid that was $500,000 higher than the next company. In that case, ACS Heritage hired Toby Roth, former Riley chief of staff, just before the bid was awarded.
ACS received the contract even though it has a history of administrative, financial, and service problems.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
What's the Matter With Alice?
Scott Horton, of Harper's, has a post today that is must reading for anyone who lives in Alabama and cares remotely about justice.
Horton presents a disturbing portrayal of Alice Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. The piece focuses on the investigation of Martin for possible perjury in an employment-discrimination case. The Alabama press has virtually ignored the perjury investigation, but Horton provides plenty of insight--not only on the perjury case itself but also on the mindset that Martin brings to her job as a federal prosecutor.
"Back when I started writing about the U.S. attorneys scandal, I got flooded with personal accounts of dealings and encounters with Alice Martin," Horton writes. "They came in from attorneys, businessmen, political figures, prosecutors who work for her, and even a judge. And not a single person had a positive thing to say about Martin."
The perjury investigation stems from an employment-discrimination case involving Deidra Brown, a young assistant U.S. attorney in the Huntsville office who was fired by Martin in May 2002. Brown alleges in an EEOC complaint that she was fired as retaliation for assisting her former supervisor, H. Victor Conrad, who had also filed an EEOC complaint against Martin.
Well, you can add me to the list of folks who've had a disturbing encounter with Alice Martin. It involves her clear attempt to cover up my allegations of wrongdoing by Republican judges in Alabama. And I will be posting about it soon.
Why would Martin be anxious to cover up a case of Republican sleaze? Horton provides some insight: "Martin ran for public office as a Republican twice, and lost twice to her Democratic opponent. In an interview with the Associated Press after she lost one of the races, in November 1998, she expressed bitterness and resentment towards Democrats. She has made her aspirations to stand as a Republican candidate for statewide office in Alabama widely known."
Horton presents a disturbing portrayal of Alice Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. The piece focuses on the investigation of Martin for possible perjury in an employment-discrimination case. The Alabama press has virtually ignored the perjury investigation, but Horton provides plenty of insight--not only on the perjury case itself but also on the mindset that Martin brings to her job as a federal prosecutor.
"Back when I started writing about the U.S. attorneys scandal, I got flooded with personal accounts of dealings and encounters with Alice Martin," Horton writes. "They came in from attorneys, businessmen, political figures, prosecutors who work for her, and even a judge. And not a single person had a positive thing to say about Martin."
The perjury investigation stems from an employment-discrimination case involving Deidra Brown, a young assistant U.S. attorney in the Huntsville office who was fired by Martin in May 2002. Brown alleges in an EEOC complaint that she was fired as retaliation for assisting her former supervisor, H. Victor Conrad, who had also filed an EEOC complaint against Martin.
Well, you can add me to the list of folks who've had a disturbing encounter with Alice Martin. It involves her clear attempt to cover up my allegations of wrongdoing by Republican judges in Alabama. And I will be posting about it soon.
Why would Martin be anxious to cover up a case of Republican sleaze? Horton provides some insight: "Martin ran for public office as a Republican twice, and lost twice to her Democratic opponent. In an interview with the Associated Press after she lost one of the races, in November 1998, she expressed bitterness and resentment towards Democrats. She has made her aspirations to stand as a Republican candidate for statewide office in Alabama widely known."
Riley Draws Heat Over State Contracts
Bob Lowry, of the Huntsville Times, continues his strong reporting on issues involving Alabama Governor Bob Riley and state contracts.
Lowry reports that the Alabama Medicaid Agency will get a $3.8-million computer-services contract with ACS Heritage Inc., which hired former Riley chief of staff Toby Roth just before the company won the bid.
Lowry had previously reported on the ACS contract, but his latest report also includes information about a $233.73 million contract the Alabama Department of Corrections will get with a St. Louis company, Correctional Medical Services Inc.
As in the ACS contract, the corrections contract did not go to the lowest bidder. And as in the ACS contract, the corrections contract went to a firm with ties to Riley. Correctional Medical Services was represented by former Republican Lt. Governor Steve Windom, a lobbyist with close ties to Riley.
Joe Turnham, chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, suggested that Riley disclose on his Web site state contracts that go to former Riley cabinet members, staffers, campaign workers, campaign contributors, and GOP officials.
As usual, a Riley spokesman (this time Jeff Emerson) had no substantive response to Turnham's suggestion, accusing the Democrat of playing politics.
Lowry reports that the Alabama Medicaid Agency will get a $3.8-million computer-services contract with ACS Heritage Inc., which hired former Riley chief of staff Toby Roth just before the company won the bid.
Lowry had previously reported on the ACS contract, but his latest report also includes information about a $233.73 million contract the Alabama Department of Corrections will get with a St. Louis company, Correctional Medical Services Inc.
As in the ACS contract, the corrections contract did not go to the lowest bidder. And as in the ACS contract, the corrections contract went to a firm with ties to Riley. Correctional Medical Services was represented by former Republican Lt. Governor Steve Windom, a lobbyist with close ties to Riley.
Joe Turnham, chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, suggested that Riley disclose on his Web site state contracts that go to former Riley cabinet members, staffers, campaign workers, campaign contributors, and GOP officials.
As usual, a Riley spokesman (this time Jeff Emerson) had no substantive response to Turnham's suggestion, accusing the Democrat of playing politics.
What Liberal Media?
Anyone who thinks we have a liberal media in the US of A should be sure to check out "Going After Gore," an article by Evgenia Peretz in the October issue of Vanity Fair.
Actually, it is an excellent piece of journalism and should be read by anyone, of whatever political stripe, who cares about public affairs.
The article shows how the press, led by the supposedly liberal New York Times and Washington Post, repeatedly used misleading, inaccurate, and negatively slanted reporting in its coverage of Gore for the 2000 presidential election. Meanwhile, Gore's opponent, George W. Bush, was routinely portrayed as a likable, engaging fellow--a little shallow maybe, but hey, we'd sure like to have a beer with him.
At the heart of the story is the portrayal of two key reporters--Katharine Seelye of the The New York Times and Ceci Connolly from the Washington Post. The two reporters were fiercely competitive and seemed in a constant battle to one-up each other in the bashing of the Gore campaign.
After reading the article, I wonder if the problem with the American press is not so much one of partisanship (one way or the other) but of maturity. The article shows major reporters to be alarmingly infantile, focusing on the juvenile and inconsequential while largely ignoring or glossing over substantive issues.
And maybe that's what we Americans want--and deserve. If you will indulge a little dime-store psychology, it seems that we are becoming an increasingly infantile society. Think for a moment: What do you do when you are trying to control an infant? I can think of two things: You try to get his attention visually and you try to give him a gadget of some sort to keep him occupied.
Is it possible that as we become more visually stimulated and gadget-oriented--look around in a public place some time and see how many people are fidgeting with a gadget of some sort--we are becoming more and more infantile? And if that's the case, is George W. Bush exactly the president we need--and deserve?
Actually, it is an excellent piece of journalism and should be read by anyone, of whatever political stripe, who cares about public affairs.
The article shows how the press, led by the supposedly liberal New York Times and Washington Post, repeatedly used misleading, inaccurate, and negatively slanted reporting in its coverage of Gore for the 2000 presidential election. Meanwhile, Gore's opponent, George W. Bush, was routinely portrayed as a likable, engaging fellow--a little shallow maybe, but hey, we'd sure like to have a beer with him.
At the heart of the story is the portrayal of two key reporters--Katharine Seelye of the The New York Times and Ceci Connolly from the Washington Post. The two reporters were fiercely competitive and seemed in a constant battle to one-up each other in the bashing of the Gore campaign.
After reading the article, I wonder if the problem with the American press is not so much one of partisanship (one way or the other) but of maturity. The article shows major reporters to be alarmingly infantile, focusing on the juvenile and inconsequential while largely ignoring or glossing over substantive issues.
And maybe that's what we Americans want--and deserve. If you will indulge a little dime-store psychology, it seems that we are becoming an increasingly infantile society. Think for a moment: What do you do when you are trying to control an infant? I can think of two things: You try to get his attention visually and you try to give him a gadget of some sort to keep him occupied.
Is it possible that as we become more visually stimulated and gadget-oriented--look around in a public place some time and see how many people are fidgeting with a gadget of some sort--we are becoming more and more infantile? And if that's the case, is George W. Bush exactly the president we need--and deserve?
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Harsh Sentences in Mississippi
Attorney Paul Minor has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison on corruption charges in Mississippi.
Former state judges John Whitfield and Wes Teel were sentenced to 110 months (about nine years) and 70 months (almost six years), respectively, in the same case.
Minor, who became a war hero in Vietnam, was convicted of bribing the judges and receiving favorable rulings in return. Mississippi has nonpartisan judicial races, but it is understood that Whitfield and Teel are Democrats. Minor long has been a supporter of Democrats in Mississippi, and his father Bill Minor is a longtime journalist in the state, known for his courageous reporting during the civil rights era.
The three defendants were charged by a Republican-led Bush Department of Justice (DOJ).
Former state judges John Whitfield and Wes Teel were sentenced to 110 months (about nine years) and 70 months (almost six years), respectively, in the same case.
Minor, who became a war hero in Vietnam, was convicted of bribing the judges and receiving favorable rulings in return. Mississippi has nonpartisan judicial races, but it is understood that Whitfield and Teel are Democrats. Minor long has been a supporter of Democrats in Mississippi, and his father Bill Minor is a longtime journalist in the state, known for his courageous reporting during the civil rights era.
The three defendants were charged by a Republican-led Bush Department of Justice (DOJ).
I noted in an earlier post the similarities between the Minor case in Mississippi and the prosecution of former Governor Don Siegelman in Alabama. Both involved multiple trials and multiple defendants, with similar charges (bribery, honest services mail fraud, conspiracy, etc.), and judges who are Republican appointees.
I also noted connections between the Minor case and the Legal Schnauzer case we are documenting here.
Significant evidence suggests that the Minor case might have been a political hit similar to the Siegelman case. Evidence also suggests that the charges of honest-services mail fraud involving judges in the Minor case are not nearly as clearcut as the mail fraud that has been committed by judges and lawyers in the Legal Schnauzer case in Alabama. And yet Republican prosecutors persist in ignoring the Schnauzer case.
The Minor case has been of great interest to your humble blogger, both because of its similarities to the Siegelman case and the fact it involved alleged judicial corruption. I've seen how real judicial corruption in Alabama is ignored by the Bush DOJ. So why were questionable charges of judicial corruption pursued so zealously in Mississippi?
We will be taking a detailed look at the Minor case--and other judicial corruption cases in the Deep South--in the days ahead. We also will be taking a look at the general issue of honest-services mail fraud, which was central in both the Siegelman and Minor cases, and is at the heart of our story here at Legal Schnauzer.
Betraying a Sacred Trust
Scott Horton, of Harper's has a superb piece today about the critical role that federal prosecutors play in our democracy, and how the trust prosecutors have traditionally held has been steadily eroded in recent years.
The misdeeds of numerous federal prosecutors is in the process of being exposed, especially in states such as Alabama, Mississippi, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. But Horton says that exposing the wrongdoing is not enough. He says a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate cases that appear to have been politically manipulated.
I think this is an excellent idea, but I hope a special prosecutor would look at both sides of the selective-prosecution issue. The emphasis, so far, has been on cases (such as the Don Siegelman case) where the Bush Department of Justice (DOJ) appears to have gone after someone for political reasons. But there also are cases where the Bush DOJ does not go after people, true wrongdoers, for political reasons.
That's what I've experienced here at Legal Schnauzer. While the Republican-led DOJ goes after Democrats like Siegelman in Alabama or Paul Minor/Wes Teel/John Whitfield in Mississippi, it ignores wrongdoing that I have witnessed by Republican judges in Alabama.
In fact, I have evidence of how Alice Martin, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, has taken affirmative steps to sweep the Legal Schnauzer case under the proverbial rug. I will be posting about that in detail in the days ahead.
One other point to add to Horton's piece. He focuses on federal prosecutors, but I have witnessed abuse of power by state prosecutors as well. I saw prosecutors in Shelby County, Alabama, butcher a case in which I was the victim of criminal trespass. The poor handling of the case--along with a corrupt judge--led to an acquittal, which allowed the trespasser to sue me for malicious prosecution. More recently, the same guy who trespassed committed felony assault against me. But Shelby County prosecutors are insisting it was misdemeanor assault, contrary to the clearly written Alabama statute (and case law). I refuse to sign a criminal complaint for a misdemeanor when I know it is a felony, so the guy is likely to get away with another crime.
Much more to come on the subject of corrupt state prosecutors in Alabama.
The misdeeds of numerous federal prosecutors is in the process of being exposed, especially in states such as Alabama, Mississippi, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. But Horton says that exposing the wrongdoing is not enough. He says a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate cases that appear to have been politically manipulated.
I think this is an excellent idea, but I hope a special prosecutor would look at both sides of the selective-prosecution issue. The emphasis, so far, has been on cases (such as the Don Siegelman case) where the Bush Department of Justice (DOJ) appears to have gone after someone for political reasons. But there also are cases where the Bush DOJ does not go after people, true wrongdoers, for political reasons.
That's what I've experienced here at Legal Schnauzer. While the Republican-led DOJ goes after Democrats like Siegelman in Alabama or Paul Minor/Wes Teel/John Whitfield in Mississippi, it ignores wrongdoing that I have witnessed by Republican judges in Alabama.
In fact, I have evidence of how Alice Martin, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, has taken affirmative steps to sweep the Legal Schnauzer case under the proverbial rug. I will be posting about that in detail in the days ahead.
One other point to add to Horton's piece. He focuses on federal prosecutors, but I have witnessed abuse of power by state prosecutors as well. I saw prosecutors in Shelby County, Alabama, butcher a case in which I was the victim of criminal trespass. The poor handling of the case--along with a corrupt judge--led to an acquittal, which allowed the trespasser to sue me for malicious prosecution. More recently, the same guy who trespassed committed felony assault against me. But Shelby County prosecutors are insisting it was misdemeanor assault, contrary to the clearly written Alabama statute (and case law). I refuse to sign a criminal complaint for a misdemeanor when I know it is a felony, so the guy is likely to get away with another crime.
Much more to come on the subject of corrupt state prosecutors in Alabama.
What Alabama Really Values
It's a college-football Saturday, a high holy day in the Deep South, so let's go with a story that mixes sports and politics.
We often hear about "Alabama values," although I've never been able to figure out exactly what they are. U.S. Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) even used the term to defend himself after he was upbraided by Daily Kos for praising Republican Alabama Governor Bob Riley.
But The Birmingham News brings us a story that says a lot about what Alabamians truly value. A significant number of University of Alabama football fans, desperate to watch new coach Nick Saban lead the Tide against Vanderbilt today in Nashville, have bought Vanderbilt season tickets. UA's allotment of 4,000 single-game tickets was gobbled up quickly, so many Roll Tiders were left with only one option--if they wanted to see the game in person (it is being televised live), they had to buy Vanderbilt season tickets.
And many of them evidently were more than happy to do it. Vandy ticket manager Eric Jones was not able to say how many season tickets were purchased by Alabama fans. But he said many phone calls and orders came from the 205 area code (Birmingham area).
The bottom line? In order to watch one football game in person, Alabamians were willing to pay $99 for a Vandy season ticket in the end zone or $175 for a sideline season ticket. After today's game, the Tiders will have three options--attend the rest of Vandy's games, try to scalp the tickets to Vandy fans, or just eat the rest of the tickets and consider it an excellent investment in the Nick Saban vision.
Where does politics play into this? Well, Alabama consistently has among the nation's lowest tax burdens. Initiatives to raise taxes even by modest amounts, either locally or statewide, almost always fail.
So what are Alabama values? We can sum it up this way:
* Need money so Alabama children can have a decent education, perhaps in a classroom and not a trailer? Forget it.
* Need money so we can hire enough state troopers to keep our highways from being among the deadliest in the country? Not a chance.
* Need a $175 so I can watch St. Nick Saban coach one football game? Let me get my credit card!
We often hear about "Alabama values," although I've never been able to figure out exactly what they are. U.S. Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) even used the term to defend himself after he was upbraided by Daily Kos for praising Republican Alabama Governor Bob Riley.
But The Birmingham News brings us a story that says a lot about what Alabamians truly value. A significant number of University of Alabama football fans, desperate to watch new coach Nick Saban lead the Tide against Vanderbilt today in Nashville, have bought Vanderbilt season tickets. UA's allotment of 4,000 single-game tickets was gobbled up quickly, so many Roll Tiders were left with only one option--if they wanted to see the game in person (it is being televised live), they had to buy Vanderbilt season tickets.
And many of them evidently were more than happy to do it. Vandy ticket manager Eric Jones was not able to say how many season tickets were purchased by Alabama fans. But he said many phone calls and orders came from the 205 area code (Birmingham area).
The bottom line? In order to watch one football game in person, Alabamians were willing to pay $99 for a Vandy season ticket in the end zone or $175 for a sideline season ticket. After today's game, the Tiders will have three options--attend the rest of Vandy's games, try to scalp the tickets to Vandy fans, or just eat the rest of the tickets and consider it an excellent investment in the Nick Saban vision.
Where does politics play into this? Well, Alabama consistently has among the nation's lowest tax burdens. Initiatives to raise taxes even by modest amounts, either locally or statewide, almost always fail.
So what are Alabama values? We can sum it up this way:
* Need money so Alabama children can have a decent education, perhaps in a classroom and not a trailer? Forget it.
* Need money so we can hire enough state troopers to keep our highways from being among the deadliest in the country? Not a chance.
* Need a $175 so I can watch St. Nick Saban coach one football game? Let me get my credit card!
Friday, September 7, 2007
Jill Simpson Goes to Washington
Glynn Wilson, of Locust Fork World News, reports that Alabama lawyer Dana Jill Simpson will be interviewed by staff members of the House Judiciary Committee next Friday in Washington.
Simpson, a Republican, signed an affidavit in May stating that the prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman (a Democrat) was politically motivated and driven partly by former White House strategist Karl Rove.
Meanwhile, Scott Horton at Harper's reports that the Georgia Thompson case in Wisconsin joins the Siegelman case at the heart of the Congressional investigation into selective prosecution by the Bush Justice Department. The Wisconsin case involves a U.S. attorney named Steven Biskupic, who has a record of bringing dubious cases that appear to have been pushed by Rove. The cases tended to target Democrats and minority groups in inner-city areas.
That's a topic we will be covering here at Legal Schnauzer. The Bush DOJ has shown no interest in pursuing clear criminal actions by Republican judges in Alabama. But we will show that the Bushies have no problem going after corrupt judges in the South when the judges appear to be Democrats and/or inner-city minorities.
In fact, sentencing is going on now in a Mississippi case involving attorney Paul Minor and former judges Wes Teel and John Whitfield. (Mississippi has nonpartisan judicial races, but it is understood that the three defendants are Democrats.) We will keep you posted on that case--and others.
Simpson, a Republican, signed an affidavit in May stating that the prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman (a Democrat) was politically motivated and driven partly by former White House strategist Karl Rove.
Meanwhile, Scott Horton at Harper's reports that the Georgia Thompson case in Wisconsin joins the Siegelman case at the heart of the Congressional investigation into selective prosecution by the Bush Justice Department. The Wisconsin case involves a U.S. attorney named Steven Biskupic, who has a record of bringing dubious cases that appear to have been pushed by Rove. The cases tended to target Democrats and minority groups in inner-city areas.
That's a topic we will be covering here at Legal Schnauzer. The Bush DOJ has shown no interest in pursuing clear criminal actions by Republican judges in Alabama. But we will show that the Bushies have no problem going after corrupt judges in the South when the judges appear to be Democrats and/or inner-city minorities.
In fact, sentencing is going on now in a Mississippi case involving attorney Paul Minor and former judges Wes Teel and John Whitfield. (Mississippi has nonpartisan judicial races, but it is understood that the three defendants are Democrats.) We will keep you posted on that case--and others.
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